Armrest Collection

Wassily Chair Marcel Breuer
Rosi Feist

Metamorphic library chairs, 1810
6339915 Metamorphic library chairs, 1810 by British School, (18th-19th century); (add.info.: Metamorphic library chairs, 1810)

Regency era wheelchair or gouty chair
6339922 Regency era wheelchair or gouty chair by British School, (18th-19th century); (add.info.: Regency era wheelchair or gouty chair)

Armchairs with continuous yoke backs, c. 1600 (wood)
704640 Armchairs with continuous yoke backs, c.1600 (wood) by Chinese School (17th century); Minneapolis Institute of Arts, MN

Portrait of Paul Marmottan, 1898 (oil on canvas)
698755 Portrait of Paul Marmottan, 1898 (oil on canvas) by Nonclercq, Elie (b.1847); 102.7x80 cm; BibliothAque Paul-Marmottan, Ville de Boulogne-Billancourt, Academie des Beaux-Arts

A sunlit bench in Cornmarket Street, Oxford

A surreal site - two teacups on a bench by the Thames Path at Oxford

1960s dentist chair. Like modern dentist chairs, this one was designed to swivel and tilt to allow the dentist to examine the patients teeth

Gray-haired man window old man large beret fur-lined cloak sits
Gray-haired man at the window, An old man with a large beret and a fur-lined cloak sits on a chair in front of a window. His arm rests on a stack of books on a table

Fire in London Underground train near Holland Park
Fire in a London Underground train near Holland Park Station, 28 July 1958. General view of the fire-damaged rear section of the first carriage

Folding X-chair, c. 1620-1650. Northern Netherlands. Rijksmuseum. Amsterdam. Holland

Old man at the window, Diederik Jan Singendonck, Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn, in or after 1815

Spiral staircase

Woman eating chicken, broccoli, mangetout and pumpkin seed pasta salad while sitting on sofa, close-up, mid-section

Fire in London Underground train near Holland Park
Fire in a London Underground train near Holland Park Station, 28 July 1958. General view of the fire-damaged rear section of the first carriage

Lady sleeping in an armchair
A young woman asleep in an armchair, her head resting against a soft cushion, placed against the armrest. Pastel study by Raymond Sheppard

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"From the Wassily Chair to the London Underground: A Journey Through Armrests" Armrests have played a significant role in our history, not just as functional pieces of furniture, but also as symbols of comfort and style. Take, for instance, the iconic Wassily Chair designed by Marcel Breuer. Its sleek design with leather armrests revolutionized modern furniture in the 1920s. But armrests have been around long before that. In 1810, metamorphic library chairs featured elegant armchairs with intricate carvings on their arms, transporting readers into a world of knowledge and imagination. During the Regency era, a different kind of chair emerged - the wheelchair or gouty chair. With its sturdy frame and supportive armrests, it provided mobility and relief for those suffering from ailments like gout. In art history too, armrests have made appearances. The portrait of Paul Marmottan painted in 1898 showcases his regal stature while seated on an ornate chair with beautifully upholstered armrests. Moving forward in time to the 1960s brings us to a rather unexpected use of armrests - dentist chairs. These futuristic contraptions ensured patients' comfort during dental procedures while showcasing technological advancements. Armrest sightings are not limited to indoor settings either. Picture this: a sunlit bench in Cornmarket Street, Oxford invites weary travelers to rest their arms after exploring historic landmarks nearby. Or how about stumbling upon a surreal sight along the Thames Path at Oxford? Two teacups resting on a bench seem almost magical – inviting passersby to take a momentary pause amidst their busy lives. However, not all encounters involving benches are whimsical. Sadly, there was also tragedy when fire engulfed a London Underground train near Holland Park. Yet even amidst chaos and despair, passengers found solace gripping tightly onto sturdy armrests, a symbol of stability and hope.